View source for Can't Help but Wait

{{Infobox song
| name       = Can't Help But Wait
| cover      = Treycanthelp.png
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Trey Songz]]
| album      = [[Trey Day]]
| released   = August 6, 2007
| recorded   = 2007
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| length     = 3:27
| label      = {{flatlist|
* Songbook
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
}}
| writer     = {{flatlist|
* [[Johntá Austin]]
* [[Mikkel S. Eriksen]]
* [[Tor Erik Hermansen]]
}}
| producer   = [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]
| prev_title = [[Wonder Woman (Trey Songz song)|Wonder Woman]]
| prev_year  = 2007
| next_title = [[Last Time (Trey Songz song)|Last Time]]
| next_year  = 2008
}}

"'''Can't Help but Wait'''" is the second single from the [[Trey Songz]] album ''[[Trey Day]]''. The song is written by [[Johntá Austin]], [[Mikkel S. Eriksen]], and [[Tor Erik Hermansen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/trey_songz/can_t_help_but_wait/19697745/lyrics.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024123955/http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/trey_songz/can_t_help_but_wait/19697745/lyrics.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2008 |title=Trey Songz Song Lyrics &#124; Search for Free Trey Songz's Lyrics |publisher=MTV |date= |accessdate=2012-02-09}}</ref> On the issue date of October 6, 2007, the single debuted on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] at number 99. Canadian actress Rosemary De Los Santos appears in the video as the girlfriend and American actor Jackie Long (''[[ATL (film)|ATL]]'') appears in the video as the abusive boyfriend. "Can't Help but Wait" peaked within the top 20 of the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], at number 14 the week ending December 22, 2007. The video was filmed in [[Toronto, Ontario]]. The song was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] at the [[51st Annual Grammy Awards|2009 Grammy Awards]].

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

==Background and composition==
{{Listen
| filename    = Can't Help But Wait.ogg
| title       = "Can't Help But Wait"
| description = A [[tempo|mid-tempo]] number, the song speaks of an abusive relationship.
| pos         = left
}}
The duo of producers [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]] originally created the song's instrumental for a song titled "If", made for [[Beyonce]]'s 2006 album ''[[B'Day (Beyonce album)|B'Day]]'', with lyrics written by [[Ne-Yo]]. Uploads of Ne-Yo's "If" demo can be found on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DHT1VjdbW0  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/4DHT1VjdbW0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=If By Ne-Yo (Beyonce Demo) |publisher=[[YouTube]] |accessdate=June 21, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

"Can't Help But Wait" was fully written by [[Johntá Austin]].<ref name="BBreview"/> The song was sent for United States [[rhythmic contemporary]] airplay on August 7, 2007 by Songbook and [[Atlantic Records]].<ref name="rar"/><ref name="fmqb"/> Elsewhere, "Can't Help But Wait" was released as a one-track [[music download|digital download]] by [[Warner Music Group|WEA International]] on August 28, 2007.<ref name="AUS"/> Additionally, Atlantic Records released a [[CD single]] on March 17, 2008 in the United Kingdom.<ref name="UKCD"/>

According to the sheet music published by [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]], "Can't Help But Wait" is an [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] song set in [[common time]] with a moderate R&B [[tempo]] of 95 beats per minute. It is written in the [[key (music)|key]] of [[G minor]], and follows the [[chord progression]]  of E{{music|flat}}maj<sub>7</sub>–Cm<sub>9</sub>–Gm<sub>9</sub>–Gm, and Songz' voice in the song spans from F<sub>4</sub> to G<sub>5</sub>.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0062608 |title=Trey Songz – Can't Help But Wait Sheet Music |publisher=Musicnotes.com. [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]] |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref> "Can't Help But Wait" is about Songz wanting a woman who is mistreated by her boyfriend;<ref name="Nero">{{cite web |url=http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/TreyDay.htm |title=Album Review: Trey Songz - 'Trey Day' |first=Mark Edward |last=Nero |publisher=[[About.com]]. [[The New York Times Company]] |accessdate=June 19, 2011 |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622081646/http://randb.about.com/od/reviews/fr/TreyDay.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> he attempts to persuade the woman to leave her partner and gives examples of how women can be treated courteously.<ref name="BBreview"/> [[Lil Wayne]] and [[Plies (rapper)|Plies]] have each remixed "Can't Help But Wait", with the latter's remix being featured on [[Step Up 2: The Streets (soundtrack)|the soundtrack album for the 2008 film]] ''[[Step Up 2: The Streets]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580337/mixtape-monday-lupe-fiasco-plans-viral-video.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116055514/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580337/mixtape-monday-lupe-fiasco-plans-viral-video.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 16, 2011 |title=Mixtape Monday: Lupe Fiasco Plans His Cool Viral Video; Joe Budden Compares Jay-Z To A 'Bully' |first1=Shaheem |last1=Reid |first2=Jayson |last2=Rodriguez |first3=Rahman |last3=Dukes |publisher=[[MTV News]]. [[MTV]] |date=January 28, 2008 |accessdate=June 17, 2011}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
"Can't Help But Wait" was selected as one of ''Trey Day''{{'s}} best tracks in [[Allmusic]]'s review of the album.<ref>{{allMusic|id=r1069892 |class=album |label=Trey Day |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' lauded the songwriting and production of the number, and praised the maturity that Songz showed on the tune.<ref name="BBreview">{{Cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rw4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61 |title=The Billboard Reviews - Singles |journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media]] |date=October 27, 2007 |volume=119 |issue=43 |page=61 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Writing for [[About.com]] Mark Edward Nero commended Songz' vocal effort on "Can't Help But Wait", and the song's "nice balance of sensitivity and swagger".<ref name="Nero"/> It was ranked at number twenty-three on [[MTV News]]' list of the 27 Essential R&B Songs of 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1576858/tpain-beyonce-more-our-fave-rb-acts-07.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605193820/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1576858/tpain-beyonce-more-our-fave-rb-acts-07.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |title=T-Pain, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake And More Are Our Favorite R&B Acts Of 2007 |first1=Shaheem |last1=Reid |first2=Jayson |last2=Rodriguez |first3=Rahman |last3=Dukes |publisher=[[MTV News]]. [[MTV]] |date=December 20, 2007 |accessdate=June 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2008/01/24/new-music-trey-songz-f-lil-wayne-cant-help-but-wait-remix/ |title=New Music: Trey Songz f/ Lil Wayne – 'Can't Help But Wait (Remix)' |work=[[Rap-Up]] |date=January 24, 2008 |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref> "Can't Help But Wait" was nominated in the [[Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance|Best Male R&B Vocal Performance]] category at the [[51st Annual Grammy Awards|2009 Grammy Awards]], but lost to [[Ne-Yo]]'s "[[Miss Independent (Ne-Yo song)|Miss Independent]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/grammy-2009-winners-list.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315220109/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604545/grammy-2009-winners-list.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |title=Grammy 2009 Winners List |publisher=[[MTV News]]. [[MTV]] |date=February 8, 2009 |accessdate=January 22, 2011}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
"Can't Help But Wait" entered the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] at number seventy-two on the chart of August 25, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2007-08-25/r-b-hip-hop-songs?order=gainer |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=August 25, 2007 |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref> On December 15, 2007 it reached its peak position of number two,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2007-12-15/r-b-hip-hop-songs |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=December 15, 2007 |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref> where it remained the following week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2007-12-22/r-b-hip-hop-songs |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=December 22, 2007 |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref> During both weeks "Can't Help But Wait" was at number two, [[Alicia Keys]]' "[[No One (Alicia Keys song)|No One]]" topped the chart. "Can't Help But Wait" remained on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for thirty-two weeks.<ref name="BBcharts">{{cite web |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=trey songz|chart=all}} |title=Can't Help But Wait - Trey Songz |work=Billboard |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref>
The song debuted at number ninety-nine on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on the issue dated October 6, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2007-10-06/hot-100?order=gainer |title=Hot 100 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=October 6, 2007 |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref> "Can't Help But Wait" rose to number fourteen on the Hot 100 on December 22, 2007. achieved during its second week at number two on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2007-12-22/hot-100?order=gainer |title=Hot 100 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=December 22, 2007 |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref> The song fell off the Hot 100 in March 2008, having spent twenty-four weeks on the chart.<ref name="BBcharts"/> "Can't Help But Wait" appeared on the [[Pop 100]] and [[Rhythmic Top 40]], and reached numbers seventy-four and six, respectively.<ref name="Allmusiccharts"/> "Can't Help But Wait" made its debut on the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 163 on March 29, 2008;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/080329cluk.txt |title=Chart Log UK: New Entries Update |date=March 29, 2008 |publisher=Zobbel.de |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref> it peaked at number 115.<ref name="UKpeak"/>

==Track listing==
;CD single
#"Can't Help But Wait"
#"Can't Help But Wait" {{small|(instrumental)}}

== Charts ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2007–08)
!scope="col"|Peak<br>position 
|-
!scope="row"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] (Official Charts Company)<ref name="UKpeak">{{cite web |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_T.HTM |title=Chart Log UK |publisher=Zobbel.de |accessdate=June 26, 2011}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|14|artist=Trey Songz|accessdate=April 11, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardrandbhiphop|2|artist=Trey Songz|accessdate=April 11, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Pop 100]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="Allmusiccharts">{{AllMusic |id=r1069892 |class=album |label=Trey Day |accessdate=June 9, 2011 |tab=charts-awards/billboard-single}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|74
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardrhythmic|6|artist=Trey Songz|accessdate=April 11, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2007)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2007/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs |title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |year=2007 |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|76
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2008)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2008/hot-100-songs |title=Hot 100 Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |year=2008 |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|86
|-
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2008/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs |title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |year=2008 |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
!scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2008/hot-rhythmic-songs |title=Rhythmic Songs |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |year=2008 |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|31
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Trey Songz|title=Can't Help But Wait|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2014}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true | nosales=true}}

==Radio and release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"|Country
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format
!scope="col"|Label
|-
!scope="row"|United States<ref name="rar">{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=08/07/2007&Format=9 |title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Rhythmic |work=[[Radio & Records]] |date=August 7, 2007 |accessdate=June 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316092422/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=08%2F07%2F2007&Format=9 |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="fmqb">{{cite web |url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=69239 |title=Available for Airplay |work=[[FMQB]] |accessdate=June 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602195200/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |archivedate=June 2, 2013 }}</ref>
|August 7, 2007
|[[Rhythmic contemporary]] airplay
|{{flatlist|
* Songbook
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
}}
|-
!scope="row"|Australia<ref name="AUS">{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=[[iTunes Store]]. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|rowspan="20"|August 28, 2007
|rowspan="20"|[[Music download|Digital download]]
|rowspan="20"|[[Warner Music Group|WEA International]]
|-
!scope="row"|Austria<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/at/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/be/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Denmark<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Finland<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|France<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |language=French |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=German |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Ireland<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Italy<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=Italian |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Japan<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=Japanese |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=Dutch |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Norway<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Mexico<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/mx/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=Spanish |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Portugal<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Spain<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com//album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=Spanish |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Switzerland<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |language=German |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/cant-help-but-wait-single/id263058356 |title=Can't Help But Wait - Single |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom<ref name="UKCD">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-Help-Wait-Trey-Songz/dp/B0014I4V6G |title=Can't Help But Wait &#91;Single&#93; |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
|March 17, 2008
|[[CD single]]
|Atlantic
|}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*{{YouTube|iF_JBlSh_G8|"Can't Help But Wait" music video}}

{{Trey Songz}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Can't Help But Wait}}
[[Category:2008 singles]]
[[Category:2007 singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Stargate (record producers)]]
[[Category:Trey Songz songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Johntá Austin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Tor Erik Hermansen]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mikkel Storleer Eriksen]]
[[Category:2007 songs]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records singles]]